NeoCity Academy High School – Phase 1.0 was Florida’s first, and to date only, zero net energy public high school. NeoCity Academy 2.0 builds on the success of the original campus with a 54,340-square-foot expansion that adds classrooms, administrative areas, and a full-service kitchen/cafeteria, all designed to support immersive, project-based learning. Located in Kissimmee, NeoCity’s STEM-focus models the future of a sustainable, technology-driven education. The school serves a growing population of students pursuing fields such as engineering, biomedical sciences, and cybersecurity.

The addition was originally conceived to expand the curriculum into middle school grades. However, the immediate success of the high school program resulted in an addition that expands the high school, deepening the school’s commitment to innovation, equity, and inclusion for grades 9-12. Wide corridors, breakout zones, and writable surfaces throughout the school invite spontaneous collaboration and peer-to-peer learning, while flexible classrooms and open collaboration areas can be quickly reconfigured to support co-teaching or individual study. These adaptable spaces enable educators and students to adapt the environment to evolving instructional methods.

The design intentionally merges nature and technology, emphasizing transparency, daylight, and visual connection. Glass partitions and expansive glazing create a sense of openness and safety, while reflective treatments and careful orientation maintain privacy and manage solar heat gain. A multi-purpose room/cafeteria and adaptable teaching zones function as academic and social hubs, giving the school a collegiate feel and supporting a range of activities—from focused STEM research to interdisciplinary projects and community events.

Sustainability and performance are embedded in both the architecture and building systems. A high-performance tilt-wall building envelope, passive design strategies, and an efficient MEP system deliver roughly 40% greater energy efficiency than a typical school, helping to reduce maintenance and operational costs. Photovoltaic canopies and solar-ready roofing extend the campus’ net-zero energy strategy, on Phase 2.0 that began on the original building, which has realized operational savings of more than $115,000 per year in energy costs. A Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) improves indoor air quality while minimizing energy loss, and real-time energy use is monitored through on-site meters and a digital dashboard, turning the building’s performance into a living laboratory for students.

As an expansion of Florida’s pioneering net-zero energy public school, NeoCity Academy 2.0 stands as a model for resilient, sustainable educational design—where high-performance systems, flexible learning environments, and STEM-focused curriculum converge to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

Design: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Photography: Chad Baumer